Basic Sweet Tea

If you follow me on Facebook, and you totally should, you probably read about my recent liberation from a certain fast food restaurant’s sweet tea. For a mere ninety-nine cents, I would receive a large foam cup brimming with sweety-cold goodness. My relationship with this lovely, cold drink had been going along smoothly until one day, the sweetness came to a grinding halt.

The cup of “tea” I received was more chipped ice than tea. Needless to say, I was annoyed, but was willing to let it pass. We all have our off days, don’t we?

The next cup of “tea” I received was watery and tasteless. That was it. In my game of baseball, two strikes and you’re out.

After mourning the loss of my refreshing drink, I woke up one morning with an ephiphany: I’ll make my own tea!

Here, dear readers, is the result of my toiling over a hot stove, just for you, so you too can be freed from the tyranny of the varying quality of fast-food tea. Bon appetit!

Sweet Tea

7 tea bags

2 cups hot water

2/3 cup of sugar (any kind)

Pinch of baking soda

3 cups of cold water

Ice

Drop your teabags into a 32 oz Pyrex measuring cup. Heat your water to just below boiling and pour over the teabags. Cover and let steep for about 15 minutes. (I like a nice strong tea). Add the pinch of baking soda to keep your tea from becoming bitter. Add 2/3 cup of sugar (whatever type pleases you) and stir until dissolved. If cool enough, pour into pitcher of your choosing add about 3 cups of cold water, or to taste). Stir, add ice and enjoy.

You may adjust the amount of water to taste, add mint or lemon as it pleases you.